PORT DICKSON: Sixteen individuals caught for allegedly being involved in gambling activities here have been issued compound notices for failing to adhere to standard operating procedures (SOP) under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

       Port Dickson district police chief Supt Aidi Sham Mohamed said the suspects, including six women, were nabbed in a house at Kuala Lukut around 9pm Friday (Aug 20).

       "The suspects were also issued compound notices for failing to adhere to the Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 for the alleged offence, as well as failing to observe physical distancing.

       "When my officers arrived, they saw the suspects sitting around a table in the kitchen and were believed to have been gambling.

       "They were later taken to the district police station for further investigations," he said in a statement Saturday (Aug 21).

       Supt Aidi Sham said police also seized RM11,376 and gambling paraphernalia from the suspects aged between 16 and 74.

       He said three suspects had past drugs-related records.

       The suspects, he said, were also being probed under Section 6(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 for allegedly being involved in gambling activities.

       Offenders can be fined not more than RM5,000 or a maximum six-month imprisonment, or both upon conviction.